Dirty Dancing

6

We have one last training session on the morning of the show. I don't do the lift but we decide to just go for it when it's time.
"I can't believe it's tonight." I say with a shaky voice. I'm nervous!

"Sheldrake's 20 minutes away. We'll change in the car." Louis says as we walk out of the dance studio.

The old sweet lady I danced with when we first arrived is walking in front of me. She drops her bag. I run up to help her.
"Mrs. Schumacher. Hey, wait, we'll help you." I offer.

"Such junk. Such junk." Mrs. Schumacher mutters as she tries to put her stuff back in her bag.

She puts her hand on Louis' arm.
"Benny Bernstein's Dancing School,
that's where I went. George Burns was a teacher."

Louis just smiles and hands her the bag.
"Thank you." She smiles sweetly.

"You're welcome." Louis replies politely.

We go our separate ways and I spend some time with my family. Later that day I meet up with Eleanor to try on my outfit for the evening. She fixes my shirt. I'll try to remember everything I've been taught in the last few days.
"I'll just keep my shoulders down, my head up, my frame locked, stay on my toes. What if I forget the steps?" I sigh.

Eleanor tries to be helpful.
"Pull up, watch the frame. And remember, let him lead you."

"I'm afraid I'm gonna forget to spike,
get dizzy and fall on my face. No. Don't look at my feet, keep my head up, my eyes open the tension in my arms, my frame locked, seat pulled up." I instruct myself, sounding way more confident than I feel.

"Thanks, Baby." Eleanor says and looks at me.

I stop to look at her. She bites her lip.
"I just want you to know that I don't sleep around... whatever Robbie might have told you. And I thought that he loved me. I thought it was something special. Anyway, I just wanted you to know that."

I smile at her and nod my head.
"So, how does it look?" I ask and take a spin.

Her eyes tear up.
"I'm scared. I'm so scared, Baby."

I hug her. Try to comfort her.
"Don't worry. You'll be fine."

After I have managed to calm Eleanor down I hurry to the dining room area in search of my sister.

"Bingo! Bingo! Bingo! That's right. It's Thursday night at Kellerman's.
That's bingo night." Niall yells from the stage.

I find her.
"Gemma, you have to do something for me."

"I don't have to." Gemma replies.

"Just tell Mom and Dad I have a headache and I'm in bed, okay? Bye." I instruct her before I run away to meet Louis by the car.

He greets me with a friendly smile and we get in the car and he makes the twenty-minute drive while we go through the whole routine verbally.

We get change as soon as we get there. I'm so nervous. I'm afraid that I will either throw up or pass out.
"The Sheldrake Hotel is proud to present Louis Tomlinson and partner in Mambo Magic!"

I think I might die on the spot. I have a fake grin plastered on my lips. My hands are sweaty and my heart is beating like crazy.
"Relax." Louis says quietly.

I get through the first part. I don't giggle when he runs his finger down my side. I'm too petrified. Whenever I mess up he's there guiding me.
Wrong way! Over here."

It's almost over. I couldn't be more relieved. I didn't know I had this kind of stage fright. Everyone is staring at us!
"Ready for the lift?"

My stomach twist. I have to do it. I dance over the stage so there will be some distance between us. I decide to not think and just act. I run up to him and he puts his hands on my hips but I freak out. I don't want to fall headfirst in front of all of these people. I smile stiffly and make some silly dance moves until he spins me around and continues the dance.
"Come on. Keep going. Keep going."

It's finally over and people actually clap their hands. We take a bow. I freeze when I spot Mr. and Mrs. Schumacher in the audience.

We hurry to the car and I get in the back seat so I can change into my normal clothes.
"You did good. You worked hard." Louis says.

"I saw that old couple from Kellerman's and I thought that was it." I reply while I unbutton the shirt.

"Me too. Me too. You know, by the second turn you really had it." Louis compliments.

"But I didn't do the lift." I snort while I remove my pants.

Louis glances at me through the  rearview mirror.
"You did real good."

"Thanks." I beam. I climb to the front seat as soon as I have changed my clothes.

When we park the car Liam comes running.
"Louis! Come on. It's Eleanor. She wouldn't go until you returned."

We run to Eleanor's cabin.
"Did you call an ambulance?" Louis asks, worried sick.

"She said the hospital would call the police. She made me promise. He didn't use no ether, nothing." Liam says upset.

"I thought you said he was a real M.D.?" Louis shouts hysterically.

"He had a dirty knife and a table. I could hear her screaming in the hallway. I swear to God, I tried to get in." Liam answers.

We arrive and Louis immediately rushes to Eleanor's side.
"It's all right. Louis' here."

I take one look at her and I know what I have to do. I run to our cabin and sneak into my parent's bedroom and shake my father's shoulder.
"What? What is it, Baby? Is it Gemma?" He asks worriedly.

"No." I whisper. I grab his medical bag and sign for him to follow me.

He immediately goes into doctor's mode when he assesses the situation.
"Excuse me. Excuse me. Everybody clear out, please."

He examines Eleanor who whimpers when he touches her stomach.
"Yes, I know that hurts. We're gonna take care of that."

He glares at Liam and Louis who stayed in the room with me.
"Who's responsible for this girl?"

"I am. Please, is she..." Louis says with pleading, worried eyes.

My father doesn't respond. He finishes up helping Eleanor and then he takes my arm and drags me towards the entrance. Liam steps forward and holds his hand out.
"Doc, thanks a lot."

My dad shakes his hand. Louis reaches out his hand as well.
"I don't know how to thank you."

He just stares at Louis' hand without taking it and then he leaves taking me with him. He's angry.
"Was that what my money paid for?"

"I'm sorry. I never meant to lie." I reply, hanging my head in shame while I try to keep up with him.

"You're not the person I thought you were. I'm not sure who you are. I don't want you to have anything to do with those people. Nothing! You're to have nothing to do with them ever again! I won't tell your mother about this. Right now I'm going to bed. And take that stuff off your face before your mother sees you!" He scolds me as we arrive at our cabin.